BOGUS NOTES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 8 November 1910, Page 7

BOGUS NOTES.

1 A POSSIBLE GANG AT WORK. STORY OF A GERMAN FRAUD. There is a further development in connection with the reports of the possibility of the Commonwealth notes beforged, says the "Sydney Daily Telegraph.'' It has been stated in a certain quarter that there is a gang actually at work in Australia at 'present negotiating for a big coup in forged notes at the time of the issue of the Government paper. The gang is said to con sist of a foreigner, who is the brains of the venture, an American, and an Australian. Each of the men is described, and the three are said to be as unscrupulous as they are cunning. Inquiries were made at the Police Department, and, whilst the InspectorGeneral did not corroborate the Story., he advanced certain information which seems to have been the foundation of the statements which have been made. The Sydney police have received from the German Consul information of a daring fraud which took place in Germany last month. On September 10 the Court i i-pwslier. Obto Koch, of Frank fort-on-the Maine, was victimised 1 of precious stones to the value of 1,402,600 marks, by two individuals who have since disappeared. Thr> principal in the fraud, who is described as a communicated , with a. Munich artist, and the latter, by virtue of favourable information co P~ cernin (T the man, introduced him to the it well er Koch. The information was subsequently found to have been false. But the man's striking personality and charming manners deceived all those with whom he ca.me hi contact. Eventually he fbousrht from Koch jewellery to the value of the amount mentioned, and gave in pavment a forged cheque. The-official description of the principal states that he is supposed to be a real estate owner in -Mexico. He is about uo vears of age. about sft. 7Ain. in henr' slim of build, and sharp-featured, lie :s of dark complexion. and_ clean-shavr-n. Ho Sipeaks broken English arid good French, and at the time of his escapr.de was elegantly attired. • . ' The other man concerned is describe a* an art expert aiid dealer from Chicago. and formerly a dealer in precious stones in San Francisco. By birth he is a Bavarian. This man is supposed to have acted as secretary and travelling companion to the ' Mexican, and i> of about the same height, but of strong build. He is dai-k. with Ion" , parted hair, and' is clean-shaven. He dresses very well, 'but not with the sajr.e grace as the other. . . . The jewellery which is missing is fully described in the police information supplied by the German Consul. It is a magnificent lot, and includes a_ number of pearls. There is one splendid pearl necklace of 38 stones, and 76 carats in weight. The stones are set m platinum. with a diamond clasp. Other articles include two pearl scarf pins and a diamond ring. The two escapees are supposed to nave left Europe, and of course the .Sydney police have been provided with the details of the fraud on the chance that the men may be in Australia. No doubt the police of the other States have been furnished with similar reports 1 he police will be on the lcok-out for any ■jewellery similar to that described. If thesii are the men whom rumour has connected with the Federal notes for-a-.eirv, then there is another party to be accounted for—the Australian _ member of the gang. It is somewhat significant that an individual' who £ome little time aco was supposed to be operating ™itn forced notes and spurious coins m this country has not been heard of lately. Of course, the Police Department does

not offer an opinion as to the worthiness of the rumour which points to particular men as toeing concerned in any possible forgeries. It believed, hc wever, that- they are in possession of information which they deem it inadvisable at the present time to disclose.

"Now that we've got it opposition has vanished," was the statement ot an official of the Sydney Satuiday Haltholida\- League, referring to the newiyinaugurated universal half-holiday ' n that city. No single employer, reports the "Teiegraph," has come forward with a word of protest. The law was not disputed. On Saturday afternoon the shops were closed and business ; sus " pended right- through the city and suburbs, and the assistants were enabled to engage in recreation pursuits. •'We have fought nearly twenty years for this compulsory Saturday closing, continued the official, "and to-day 1 doubt it there are a dozen shop assistants who when enjoying themselves gave a thought to the organisation which year in and year out has kept this movement before the people. J\li Wade gave us the legislation ,it is true, but it was our League that stimulated hint to do that. However, our League has accomplished its object. 10-da> witnesses our triumph. So why should we worry about the credit o. the achievement?" The inauguration ot the Saturday half-holiday was not unaccompanied with signs of appreciation, adds the "Telegraph." Passing through Fame of the erstwhile "Wednesday closins" shops, one marked the eager expectancy on the faces of the -assistants, who were looking forward to their one and a-half days' of relaxation from duty.